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Memphis native adds to ‘Hicksters’ and its healing-through-laughter focus

NEW TRI-STATE DEFENDER — Jeremy Steven Walker, a rising Hollywood star, is taking on the big leagues by learning to master the creative arts while wearing multiple hats in the film industry.

Published

7 years ago

August 21, 2019

Oakland Post

By Brianna A. Smith

Jeremy Steven Walker, a rising Hollywood star, is taking on the big leagues by learning to master the creative arts while wearing multiple hats in the film industry.

Although Walker is a Memphis native who graduated from Germantown High School, he said the nine years he spent in Denver after high school is where and when he truly began to dabble into film and theatre arts. Jeremy Steven Walker, a rising Hollywood star, is taking on the big leagues by learning to master the creative arts while wearing multiple hats in the film industry.

“Growing up, Memphis wasn’t a city I felt was big on film and acting,” Walker said. “I think had I been exposed to it earlier, then I would’ve been able to get into the craft sooner.”

In 2008, Walker booked his first national commercial with Crocs, which aired during the Summer Olympics. Since then he has consistently booked roles and recently wrapped up the Pitsburgh-based comedy drama, “Hicksters.”

Filmed in and around the Steel City, “Hicksters” is Pittsburgh native Christina Wren’s (“Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman”) newest comedy project.

It follows the adventures of Ruby Hadid-Robinson (Wren) and Alex Robinson (Walker), a millennial couple from New York whose lives take a turn when they lose their jobs around the same time they inherit Ruby’s late grandfather’s farm. As an interracial couple – Ruby is an Arab-American woman and Alex is an African-American man – they meet a slew of characters who learn, often through comedic blunders, that they have more in common with their new neighbors than they think.

“Unconscious biases, prejudices, stereotypes and racism all stem from fears of the unknown that have been ingrained in our lives,” said Walker. “You will see in a comedic way how we bring light to those issues on this show.”

“Hicksters” is a story about unifying, about striving to make life work as a millennial, about the current economy and cultural landscape. It is a quirky exploration of what it really means to be an American today.

“Our world is filled with so much love that should be shared,” Walker said. “Ultimately, Wren and her creative team want to highlight our similarities and how they pale in comparison to our differences.”

There are six episodes to the first season and after tuning in, I can say, Walker and Wren did a great job of nurturing their characters to reflect their humanity.

“It was really important that each character be human and relatable and have a clear point of view,” Walker said. “There’s not one perfect character or evil villain. It’s just a bunch of quirky people trying to live a life together.

“Wren wanted to make sure every character could be represented in a way that was yet funny and we could poke at all our quirks, but also honor the humanity in them.”

Walker believes that we all have stories worth sharing.

“‘Hicksters’ is an opportunity to explore the complexities of social exchanges,” he said. “Once we are open to share our stories, understand the foundations of our belief systems and open our minds to different perspectives, we can step forward, towards unity.”

The creative team decided the best way to share “Hicksters” was YouTube and www.hicksterscomedy.com. That way, there are no barriers to entry such as a membership or subscription – everyone has access.

“The best part about working and being a part of this project was the inclusion of diversity of people it took to create it,” Walker said. “Diversity is beautiful to watch.”

The creative team for “Hicksters” includes Wren (Muslim/white) and her husband, Demetrius Wren (a black man), who worked as a director, writer and executive producer. Writers Madilynn Beck (black) and Rachna Khatau (Indian) also added their own special comedic talents and personal experiences to the series.

(To keep up with Walker, follow him on Instagram @JWalkerScene. To catch up on “Hicksters,” visit youtube.com/twokidswithacamera or hicksterscomedy.com.)

This article originally appeared in the New Tri-State Defender

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.